BEDDINGTON SEWAGE FARM ROMAN VILLA

A Roman Villa with a Bath House was discovered by excavation in 1871, 1959-62 and 1981-87. Prior to 1871 in 1736 roman foundations, pottery and stone were discovered during ploughing and in 1889 two rooms were discovered which were thought to contain a hypocaust. Neolithic pottery and Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement discovered.

The bath house of a probable Roman villa complex at Beddington Sewage Farm, and a related barn or outbuilding [at TQ 29996572] were excavated in 1871 by Addy, and by Keulemans, 1959-62.

The bath house C.350 A.D., [See AO/LP/64/107], appears to have been a later addition to a possible wooden corridor villa building to the south, from which it was separated by a cobbled yard. The detached room to the east was apparently a cold bath.

There is no trace of any of these buildings, but the site of the excavated 'villa' and outbuilding was confirmed by the farmer. No information was gained on the 'newly' discovered site; Keulemans has moved from the area and the farmer knew nothing of it. The siting given falls in a waterlogged field and an inspection of Air Photographs proved negative. (6)

The bath house and surrounding area were excavated 1981-3 and 1984-7. The bath house was relocated and additional buildings of Romano-Brtish date were discovered, including the main villa - or farmhouse. In addition, ditches, pits and round houses of late Bronze Age and Iron Age date were found although this earlier occupation evidence was much disturbed by Roman features. Evaluation over a substantial area has continued - outline permission for gravel extraction exists. Finds of preshistoric and Roman date continue to be made during these excavations, including a ditch terminal containing Neolithic potsherds at c. TQ 292662. To date only interim notes have been published, along with a "popular" account of the 1981-3 excavation. The various interims by the Adkins also provide information on earlier unpublished work on the Roman bath site. (7-17)

Discussion of Roman open pottery lamp from the 1981-3 excavation. (18)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

6" 1940

( 2) Surrey Archaeological Society Surrey archaeological collections : relating to the history and antiquities of the County

Keulemans M. Interim Report. 60, 1963 Page(s)37-44, ill

( 3) Surrey Archaeological Society Surrey archaeological collections : relating to the history and antiquities of the County

Addy J 6, 1874 Page(s)118-21, ill

( 4) Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London

Addy J 5, 1871 Page(s)154

( 5) Journal of the British Archaeological Association

(Brock E P L) 27, 1871 Page(s)514-7

( 6) Field Investigators Comments

F1 FGA 24-AUG-65

( 7) Surrey Archaeological Society Surrey archaeological collections : relating to the history and antiquities of the County

Pryer K A 69, 1973 Page(s)197

( 8) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

Adkins L and Adkins R 4, 8, Autumn 1982 Page(s)199-203

( 9) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

Adkins L and Adkins R 4, 12, Autumn 1983 Page(s)326-9

( 10) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

Adkins L and Adkins R 5, 6, Spring 1986 Page(s)152-7

( 11) by Lesley Adkins and Roy A Adkins 1986 Under the sludge : Beddington Roman villa. Excavations at Beddington Sewage Works 1981-1983

( 12) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

Adkins L and Adkins R 5, 10, Spring 1987 Page(s)255-7, 277

( 13) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

Adkins L and Adkins R 5, 13, Winter 1987 Page(s)349-52

( 14) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

5, 15, 1988 Page(s)414

( 15) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

6, 7, Summer 1990 Page(s)194

( 16) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

6, 11, Summer 1991 Page(s)307

( 17) London Archaeologist Association The London archaeologist

Hegton M and Hearne C 7, 1, Winter 1992 Page(s)19-23

( 18) Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies Britannia : a journal of Romano-British and kindred studies